Khaman

Maluach

The 40th overall pick in the 2024 draft, Ighodaro appeared in all 82 games this season, starting 24. The 7-footer’s role expanded when a foot injury sidelined Mark Williams, and that could remain the case in 2026-27 if the Suns were to move on from the former Hornet. However, one would assume that Phoenix would look to upgrade the position if that were the case, and 2025 lottery pick Khaman Maluach would also be in the mix for more playing time. Ighodaro averaged 6.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game this season. That production was not enough to make him much more than a deep-league streamer on nights when Williams was out.

Williams missed Sunday’s Game 1 loss to the Thunder with a sore left foot. Oso Ighodaro and Khaman Maluach combined for zero points in 41 minutes in Williams’ absence. The 24-year-old center remains questionable for Game 2. Ighodaro will likely start again if Williams is ruled out.

Williams will miss a second consecutive game as he continues to deal with a sore left foot. Oso Ighodaro started Friday’s Play-In victory over the Warriors, logging 26 minutes. He’ll take on a similar role for Game 1, while Khaman Maluach may play more than the five minutes that he did the last time out because of Oklahoma City’s interior depth.

After logging 22 minutes in Tuesday’s loss to the Trail Blazers, Williams was held out of Friday’s win over the Warriors. Oso Ighodaro played 26 minutes as the starting center, with the Suns going small for extended periods. Given the matchup, there may be more minutes available to Khaman Maluach if Williams remains out.

Maluach hasn’t seen the floor much during his rookie season, but over their last three games, he has played a significant role in two of them. He grabbed 14 rebounds in each, and he averaged 2.5 blocks during them, but he was much better offensively in this one. He set a new career high for scoring and knocked down multiple triples. Maluach won’t turn 20 until September and still has loads of upside. He isn’t ready to contribute for the Suns right now, but he is worth stashing in dynasty formats.

Williams will be sidelined for the season finale, which means Khaman Maluach may make a return to the starting unit. He had 14 rebounds and three blocks in 30 minutes as a starter on Wednesday.

The Suns won’t have Mark Williams for Wednesday’s game, an expected development as this is Phoenix’s second game in as many nights. However, it will be Maluach who replaces him in the starting lineup, with Oso Ighodaro remaining with the second unit. The Suns still need to win in order to lock up the seventh seed in the West, but Maluach may get extended run in these final three regular-season games.

Williams is dealing with left foot soreness, ruling him out for Thursday’s game. Oso Ighodaro has served as the backup center for most of this season, and a move into the starting lineup would make him a worthwhile streamer. Khaman Maluach could enter the rotation, but there would not be much to gain from slotting him into fantasy lineups.

Maluach has not been in the Suns’ rotation on most nights, with Mark Williams serving as the starting center and Oso Ighodaro as the backup. The rookie should only be rostered in dynasty leagues.

Maluach is dealing with a sprained right thumb. His availability does not affect redraft leagues, as the rookie has been no higher than third on the Suns’ depth chart. Mark Williams and Oso Ighodaro will continue to play the rotation minutes at the center position.